Space shuttle Enterprise sails up Hudson River on its final intrepid journey

A flotilla surrounds NASA space shuttle Enterprise as it is carried by barge up the Hudson River on route to its permanent home at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on June 6, in New York City. The Enterprise, only used for atmospheric testing, will be hoisted by crane onto the flight deck of the retired Intrepid aircraft carrier. The Enterprise's original move-in date was Tuesday but bad weather had delayed preparation work.

Justin Lane / EPA

The Space Shuttle Enterprise is ferried on a barge past the Statue of Liberty on its way to the USS Intrepid Museum in New York, New York, on June 6. Reports state that Enterprise departed her New Jersey port. making her way north passing the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero to arrive at the Intrepid Museum where the space shuttle will be lifted from the barge, by crane, on to Intrepid's Flight Deck.

The prototype space shuttle Enterprise took a photogenic journey past New York City's landmarks today as it sailed on a barge to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, its new home on the Hudson River.

Enterprise never went into space — instead, it was used for aerodynamic test flights during the early days of the shuttle program. After spending years in storage and on exhibit, including a long run at the Smithsonian in Washington, it was flown piggyback-style atop NASA's modified jumbo jet to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in April. This week, Enterprise made its way from JFK, to a New Jersey port, and finally to the Intrepid as hundreds watched in awe.

"I've never seen a space shuttle, and I'm looking at one," Thomas Hoffler, 69, who described himself as homeless, told The Associated Press today. "I'm just spellbound."

The Space Shuttle Enterprise floats up the Hudson River on June 6, as it rides past the New York skyline on a barge to be placed at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

Don Emmert / AFP - Getty Images

The Space Shuttle Enterprise makes its way up the Hudson River past a busy street as it is towed to the Intrepid Museum on a barge on June 6, in New York. Enterprise was moved by barge to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York where it will be permanently displayed.

Mike Segar / Reuters

The Space Shuttle Enterprise passes lower Manhattan and the still under construction 1 World Trade Center tower as it rides on a barge in New York harbor, on June 6. The Space Shuttle Enterprise was being moved up the Hudson River to be placed at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.